ICL players get support from FICA

Mumbai: The ICL demand of recognition from the ICC and subsequent removal of the ban imposed on their respective national boards received a major boost when the Federation of International Cricketers' Association pledged to extend their support to them.

According to Tim May, FICA CEO, the body is against banning of players participating in the matches not recognised by the ICC.

"FICA's position on unofficial leagues such as ICL is that we support the players' ability to play cricket for whichever employer that he wishes and players should not be subject to regulations/bans that are inconsistent with employment laws of the land," he said.

"This of course, is subject to players' current contractual conditions. If a player has a contract with BCCI or any other body and that contract contains restrictions that prohibit players from playing in such an unofficial league, then the player must abide by that restriction," he added.

The ICL officials met the ICC President (and their lawyers) on Tuesday and David Morgan is scheduled to report the discussions to the board members early next week in Dubai.

"If the player either does not have a contract with a board or other club or does have a contract that doesnt have any restrictions on the player playing for other teams, then the player should be free to play for who he wishes," May stressed.